CGRP antagonist (MK-8825, p.o) or vehicle (p.o) was administered at 1, 8, and 16 h after CEES exposure. (A and B) Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and CXCL1/KC were quantified in tissue homogenates using ELISA (C) Levels of MMP-9 in tissue homogenates, determined by ELISA. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. For MMP-9 and IL-1β: n=20-22/control (dichloromethane only) ears from all groups, 9/CEES+vehicle (methyl cellulose) ears, and 6–8/treatment (CEES+MK-8825) ears; For KC: n=12/control (dichloromethane only) ears, 8/CEES+vehicle (0.5% methyl cellulose) ears, and 7/treatment (CEES+MK-8825) ears. Statistical significance of the difference between the groups was determined by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison post-hoc test. *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ****p<0.0001; ns = non-significant.